Inspired by Jack Kirby Celestials from the original comic series (not the movie) at Marvel called The Eternals. Eternals copyright respective rights holder. WIP. Pen and ink on bristol board. Digital color using Affinity Photo. Original image 10x15 inches. Artist: Rick Arthur. 2021.
"The Wind Grew Very Still Indeed"
The compass spun lazily in my hand and the sun shone too brightly. I grabbed at a thick rope and leaned out, squinting in all directions looking for some hint of direction on my future journey. There were no shores to see, just seemingly endless water, deep and flat, on every horizon.
I learned a great deal about the teaching process simply by explaining myself out loud and answering questions that students had. I struggled with how to give a good, basic understanding of creative material which demanded a holistic approach. To overload students with complex ideas while teaching comic art seemed counter-intuitive. The meal can only be bitten off in pieces anyway and should be chewed a little as you go along. Learning takes time, practice, and patience which weighs against the eagerness, enthusiasm, and expectations students bring. That was my initial reasoning.
RICK
Welcome. For five years, I taught a college-level, one-credit comic drawing class for New Mexico Tech in the mountains of a dusty town named Socorro. It was probably one of the most beautiful places I have ever lived with wide, dramatic vistas, crystal blue skies, and compelling silhouettes. Every semester, I taught engineering students about the basics of comic art and creativity. I rewrote my syllabus and changed my approach with each new class and sometimes shifted focus again after mid-terms. I made a large, conscious effort to respond in real time to both group and individual interests. I easily amassed hundreds of pages of notes, drawings, examples, and created a companion guide that topped out at over 160 pages.
Teaching always reminded me of my own artistic curiosity as a student at the Joe Kubert School of Cartoon and Graphic Art in Dover, New Jersey (now The Kubert School). Like a lot of students there, I struggled with a heavy workload and trying to absorb many lessons that would not make sense until years later when encountered in real life situations. Aha! That is what my teachers were trying to show me.
As a kid, I went through various stages of reading, enjoying, copying, recreating, exploring, and developing my sensibilities. With luck, hard work, patience, stubbornness, and some guidance, I have been able to mature my outlook further. This was not easy and took all my time, everything I had. There were the unceasing hours of practice and trial and mostly error followed by "critical" analysis.
What experience can I really distill for my students? How do I approach the materials and why should students care even a fraction as much as I do about it? How is it even possible to give students the benefit of immersion in just two hours a week? There are a lot of excellent "how to draw" books out there. Many teachers with more experience and longer work histories are helping students learn art and comic drawing. What can I offer that no one else can?
My philosophy is to learn as much as I can. I have had the chance to work in every different aspect of drawing comics, printing, production, book making, advertising, illustration, and I am always working to apply what I have learned back into the comics I make. When I teach, I try to look at things from the point of view of my students and expose them to as many of the tips and techniques for telling stories as I can. My attention is in deciphering both the how's and why's of drawing. No serious question by a student is off limits. The idea is to give students the tools they need to explore for themselves. Each will take away different things from the experience and hopefully incorporate at least one or two things I try to convey. At the end of the day, it is my task to have some of my enthusiasm rub off and open students to the idea that they can tell any story they can think of drawing.
Storytelling is powerful and comics, a fusion of words and pictures, is powerful indeed.
The cry of gulls grew fainter, and I drew in a long breath, knowing that when I exhaled, I would make a decision on which way to head. I could never know how far it would be before hitting land or what storms lay lurked. The ship deck creaked gently underneath me, waiting. Where would I end up? Not knowing was part of the adventure but I was prepared and had steeled myself for what fate would bring and what my wits could decipher.
Ahoy!
RICK
Subscribe to receive more insider information via the email newsletter.
Share your favorite posts.
Comment and ask questions or make requests.
Thank you for visiting, participating, and collaborating in the storytelling experience.
No comments:
Post a Comment
Agree. Disagree. Comments. Questions. Or other insights. Keep it clean and respectful. All are moderated. Thx.
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.